Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has backed the Petroleum Hub project to create jobs for the Ghanaian youth.

He expressed strong confidence in its potential to transform the Jomoro Municipality into a major industrial enclave and create sustainable employment for the youth.

The Minister gave the assurance during a courtesy call on him by a delegation from the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Toni Aubynn.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said recent developments under the current administration had deepened his belief in the feasibility of the project, describing it as a strategic national investment with far-reaching socio-economic impact.

He attributed his renewed confidence to strides made by the government of President John Mahama and the leadership of PHDC in addressing critical bottlenecks, particularly the mobilisation of financing to pay compensation following land acquisition.

The Minister noted that compensation issues had previously undermined public confidence in the project’s viability, but expressed satisfaction that innovative financing approaches were being pursued to resolve the challenge.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, pledged to leverage his office and influence to ensure the realisation of the vision of establishing Jomoro as the “Rotterdam of Africa.”

He announced plans to engage the leadership of the Lands Commission to fast-track ongoing land processes to facilitate swift and efficient acquisition.

The Minister further disclosed that the government was advancing critical infrastructure, including roads and essential facilities, to prepare the project site for full-scale development.

“I now firmly believe in the Petroleum Hub project,” he stated.

In response, Dr Aubynn expressed appreciation to the Minister for his endorsement and commitment to expedite land acquisition processes, describing the gesture as reassuring to investors, the people of Jomoro, and other stakeholders.

He said beyond collaboration with relevant state agencies to secure the required land, PHDC was actively engaging investors to secure forward funding for Lot One of the project.

Dr Aubynn commended the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area and residents for their patience and continued faith in the initiative.

He emphasised the strategic importance of the Petroleum Hub in strengthening Ghana’s energy security and its projected capacity to create sustainable livelihoods for more than 700,000 people.

The PHDC delegation included the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Operations and Technical, Mr Onasis Rosely; Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Finance and Administration, Ms Halimatu Sadia Abdulai; Director of Legal Affairs, Mr Enoch Aboagye Larbi; Director of Operations and Technical, Mr Kwabena Owusu-Abrokwa; and Advisor on Sustainability and Strategy, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh.